The Cowessess First Nation’s importation request was denied for the gift of 20 bison from the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency denied it because the United States Department of Agriculture did not test for Bovine Tuberculosis. This test is not done in the United States but is required by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency before the bison herd can be brough into Canada.
The government agencies are working together to figure out a way or a test that will satisfy both parties. The Cowessess First Nation is continuing to work with all government agencies to bring the herd to Cowessess.
The Fort Peck bison are found grazing in Yellowstone National Park. The Yellowstone bison have the highest genetic rating and are considered pure. These bison have not had contact with outside bison herds for hundreds of years and have been isolated to Yellowstone National Park.
“The main thing is the genetics, and they will be the real prized animal up here in Canada when it comes to genetics because this would be the first time the Yellowstone bison came to Canada,” said Gary Pelletier, Project Manager of the Bison Re-introduction Program in Cowessess First Nation.
This process is the first of its kind and they are still working with the government agencies to get the Yellowstone bison but also are working with Rocky Nest Ranch with the community being gifted 25 bison.
“Get back with the bison spiritually and culturally and start working as a community, to better the community and the people by using the bison,” said Pelleiter.
The bison will help provide the community with food sovereignty. The bison acquisition is instilling pride and will help heal the community. The Food Sovereignty Initiatives of gifting of bison is where nations share some of their bison herd with other First Nation communities, this builds relationships with other communities and builds the relationship with the bison.
The Cowessess First Nation is having a traditional powwow in August, and they hope to introduce the herd to the community during the celebration.